Inverness Royal Academy
Encyclopedia
Inverness Royal Academy is a secondary school (comprehensive
) located in the Culduthel
area of Inverness
, Highland
, Scotland
.
, Lochardil and Stratherrick. Children living within the catchment area who attended St. Joseph's and Bishop Eden primaries also transfer there after Primary 7. Parents living outwith the catchment area can request that their children be placed there. At present around one hundred children live outwith the catchment area and attend the academy.
The school's continuous existence as a developing institution cannot be demonstrated from the surviving evidence, and it is probably safer to interpret that as a succession of educational provisions in and mainly for the burgh, rather than the survival of a single school. There is, however, evidence that concentration on a single site and within a single building was favoured increasingly (as was the pattern elsewhere in Britain and the transatlantic colonies, from which many of the early Academy subscriptions came) in the later eighteenth century, and that the grammar school
would be the focus of this, notably during the Rectorship of Hector Fraser, who taught many of the merchants and lawyers involved in the establishment of the Royal Academy, which was from the first an innovative and self-contained project aiming, as its first minute book amply demonstrates, to provide something like a stepping stone to full university status for the burgh, with a curriculum designed in the light of the ideas of the Enlightenment and dominated not by the Classics but by the sciences and mathematics.
For the first quarter-century of the Academy's existence something like this ideal was sustained, and the appointments of its Rectors showed a bias towards the emerging sciences - for example that of Alexander Nimmo, who became a disciple of Telford, and left in 1811 to work on civil engineering projects in the West of Ireland. He was followed by a mathematician, Matthew Adam.
The Academy was open to girls from the start, and in its English, writing and drawing classes provided the sort of education for girls that middle class parents were happy with, although there seems also to have been an enthusiasm for geography. In the mid-nineteenth century one girl was adjudged the best mathematics pupil in the school, but could not be awarded the appropriate medal, which went only to boys.
From the opening of the Academy in 1792 (when pupils came from all over the Highlands and across the Atlantic, especially the Caribbean - some are shown in the surviving rolls as "coloured") a continuous existence can safely be traced, in which major milestones after 1792 were the adaptation to compulsory schooling after 1872, and the demands of the professions generally, which led to the establishment of the new building on the Crown in 1895.
The school's management was by the Inverness School Board after 1910, and later by Inverness County Council and Highland Regional Council.
On Saturday 28 April 1962 when the school's outdoor club was climbing on Stac Pollaidh
, a 15-year-old boy slipped and fell 40 feet to his death.
On 26 June 1992 the school was visited by Prince Andrew, Duke of York
to celebrate its bi-centenary, with Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh. On 23 November 2009 his brother, Prince Edward, visited the school, having also visited on 11 June 2003.
The school's belief is that each pupil should have an opportunity to pursue his or her subject choice and chosen career free from discrimination of any kind.
The school's belief is that each pupil should have an opportunity to pursue his or her subject choice and chosen career free from discrimination of any kind.
At the end of Second Year pupils choose eight subjects to study over the next two years.
These awards are recorded on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate
issued by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
.
They also get the chance to do the Duke Of Edinburgh award.
The school is to receive 35 million pounds to improve the condition of the building. In a five year spending plan by the Highland Council The school was made a priority by the Highland Council's ruling administration. The money is to be spend over the period of the five years to help improve the school facilities and building.
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
) located in the Culduthel
Culduthel
Culduthel is an area in the south of the city of Inverness, in the Highland council area of Scotland. The area is largely residential, and is the location of Inverness Royal Academy....
area of Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, Highland
Highland (council area)
Highland is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in both Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole. It shares borders with the council areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, and Argyll and Bute. Their councils, and those of Angus and...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Catchment area
The school is a six year comprehensive school serving an extensive area. The associated primary schools are Aldourie, Cauldeen, Farr, Foyers, Hilton, HolmHolm Primary School
Holm primary is a primary school located in the Holm area of Inverness, Highland, Scotland.- The School Buildings :Holm Primary School is situated off Stratherrick Road overlooking Holm Mains and Holm Park. The main access is from Stratherrick Road - opposite Lochardil Woods...
, Lochardil and Stratherrick. Children living within the catchment area who attended St. Joseph's and Bishop Eden primaries also transfer there after Primary 7. Parents living outwith the catchment area can request that their children be placed there. At present around one hundred children live outwith the catchment area and attend the academy.
History
Tracing its history back to the school established by Dominican Friars in 1223 through the town Grammar School in 1668 to the founding of the Academy in 1792, the school has been located at the following locations around the city.- Friars Street area (Dominican Priory) 1223-1668
- Church Street (now the Dunbar Centre) 1668-1792
- Academy Street (formerly New Street) 1792-1895
- Midmills building (currently of UHI-Inverness College) 1895 - 1980 and
- Culduthel Road (current building) 1977 - present
The school's continuous existence as a developing institution cannot be demonstrated from the surviving evidence, and it is probably safer to interpret that as a succession of educational provisions in and mainly for the burgh, rather than the survival of a single school. There is, however, evidence that concentration on a single site and within a single building was favoured increasingly (as was the pattern elsewhere in Britain and the transatlantic colonies, from which many of the early Academy subscriptions came) in the later eighteenth century, and that the grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
would be the focus of this, notably during the Rectorship of Hector Fraser, who taught many of the merchants and lawyers involved in the establishment of the Royal Academy, which was from the first an innovative and self-contained project aiming, as its first minute book amply demonstrates, to provide something like a stepping stone to full university status for the burgh, with a curriculum designed in the light of the ideas of the Enlightenment and dominated not by the Classics but by the sciences and mathematics.
For the first quarter-century of the Academy's existence something like this ideal was sustained, and the appointments of its Rectors showed a bias towards the emerging sciences - for example that of Alexander Nimmo, who became a disciple of Telford, and left in 1811 to work on civil engineering projects in the West of Ireland. He was followed by a mathematician, Matthew Adam.
The Academy was open to girls from the start, and in its English, writing and drawing classes provided the sort of education for girls that middle class parents were happy with, although there seems also to have been an enthusiasm for geography. In the mid-nineteenth century one girl was adjudged the best mathematics pupil in the school, but could not be awarded the appropriate medal, which went only to boys.
From the opening of the Academy in 1792 (when pupils came from all over the Highlands and across the Atlantic, especially the Caribbean - some are shown in the surviving rolls as "coloured") a continuous existence can safely be traced, in which major milestones after 1792 were the adaptation to compulsory schooling after 1872, and the demands of the professions generally, which led to the establishment of the new building on the Crown in 1895.
The school's management was by the Inverness School Board after 1910, and later by Inverness County Council and Highland Regional Council.
On Saturday 28 April 1962 when the school's outdoor club was climbing on Stac Pollaidh
Stac Pollaidh
Stac Pollaidh is a mountain in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The peak displays a rocky crest of Torridonian sandstone, with many pinnacles and steep gullies. The crest is extremely weathered , suggesting that it was not covered in ice during the last Ice Age.The name Stac Pollaidh is often...
, a 15-year-old boy slipped and fell 40 feet to his death.
Comprehensive
There was movement in the 1950s and 1960s (when Gaelic speaking pupils from the Western Isles were still accepted and housed in the Hostel on Culduthel Road) from fee-paying and selectivity to the status of area comprehensive in the mid and late 1970s, again on a new site.On 26 June 1992 the school was visited by Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
to celebrate its bi-centenary, with Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh. On 23 November 2009 his brother, Prince Edward, visited the school, having also visited on 11 June 2003.
Curriculum for Excellence
The curriculum is based on three distinct but interlinked sections. The S1/2 curriculum has many subjects; in S3/4 pupils study Standard Grades and/or Intermediate I or II, while in S5/6 pupils study National Qualification courses at Higher and Intermediate levels with Advanced Highers available in S6.The school's belief is that each pupil should have an opportunity to pursue his or her subject choice and chosen career free from discrimination of any kind.
The school's belief is that each pupil should have an opportunity to pursue his or her subject choice and chosen career free from discrimination of any kind.
Years 1 & 2
The subjects first studied in First Year combine to form a common course. This course provides a basis for later study and is also a period in which a pupil's own capabilities and interests can be identified and assessed.At the end of Second Year pupils choose eight subjects to study over the next two years.
Years 3 & 4
In Third and Fourth year pupils take Standard Grade and/or Intermediate level subjects.These awards are recorded on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate
Scottish Qualifications Certificate
The Scottish Qualifications Certificate is the successor to the Scottish Certificate of Education and the Record of Education and Training in Scotland, and is the main educational qualification awarded to students in secondary, further, and vocational education. The SQC is awarded by the Scottish...
issued by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is a non-departmental public body responsible for accreditation and awarding. It is partly funded by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate of the Scottish Government, employing 750 staff, based in Glasgow and Dalkeith...
.
They also get the chance to do the Duke Of Edinburgh award.
Years 5 & 6
In general terms the curriculum in years 5 and 6 is designed to allow pupils to study a smaller range of subjects in depth. Pupils in Fifth Year take 5 courses at Higher or Intermediate level. Pupils who successfully complete their Higher Grade courses in Fifth Year may proceed to Advanced Higher in Sixth Year. Some may take up new Higher courses.School Building
The School has 3 floors for a variety of subjects as well as a number of huts located at the back of the school. The first floor has the maths, English and CDT classrooms as well as the reception in the front concourse. The first floor is home to the geography, history, modern languages, computing, (soon to be discontinued) Admin and home economics. The second Floor has the science classrooms and art department.The school is to receive 35 million pounds to improve the condition of the building. In a five year spending plan by the Highland Council The school was made a priority by the Highland Council's ruling administration. The money is to be spend over the period of the five years to help improve the school facilities and building.
Notable former pupils
- Prof Sue Black OBE
- Murdo FraserMurdo FraserMurdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
, Conservative MSP since 2001 for Mid Scotland and FifeMid Scotland and Fife (Scottish Parliament electoral region)Mid Scotland and Fife is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. Nine of the parliament's 73 first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament... - Iain GrayIain GrayIain Gray is a Scottish politician and the Leader of Scottish Labour Party Opposition in the Scottish Parliament. Gray was elected as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the East Lothian constituency in 2007 having previously represented Edinburgh Pentlands from 1999 to 2003.-Background and...
, Labour MSP since 2007 for East LothianEast Lothian (Scottish Parliament constituency)East Lothian is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election...
and Edinburgh PentlandsEdinburgh Pentlands (Scottish Parliament constituency)Edinburgh Pentlands is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament. It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election...
from 1999-2003 - Dr Jane Elizabeth Waterston, (1843-1932, first woman doctor in South Africa and one of the first to qualify in the UK.
Grammar school
- Peter Anderson, Registar from 1918-26 of the University of Aberdeen
- Rev Prof Donald Baillie, Professor of Systematic Theology in the University of St Andrews from 1935-54
- Very Rev John Baillie, Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh from 1934-56, and older brother of Donald
- Evan Barron, Editor from 1919-65 of the Inverness Courier
- Prof G.W.S. Barrow, Sir William FraserWilliam Fraser (historian)Sir William Fraser, KCB, was a solicitor and notable expert in ancient Scottish history, palaeography, and genealogy....
Professor of Scottish History and Palæography from 1979-92 at the University of Edinburgh - Donald Bentham-MacLeary OBE, ballet dancer
- Sir Gordon Beveridge, Vice-Chancellor from 1986-97 of Queen's University Belfast, Professor of Chemical Engineering from 1971-86 at the University of Strathclyde, and President from 1984-5 of the Institution of Chemical EngineersInstitution of Chemical EngineersThe Institution of Chemical Engineers is a global professional engineering institution with over 33,000 members in over 120 countries worldwide, founded in 1922, and awarded a Royal Charter in 1957.-Structure:...
(IChemE) - James Burns CBE, Chairman from 1967-69 of the Southern Gas Board, and President from 1957-8 of the Institition of Gas EngineersInstitution of Gas Engineers and ManagersThe Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers is a British professional engineering institution founded in 1863. It is licenced by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers and Technicians...
- William Chalmers CB CVO CBE, Director-General from 1956-75 of the Commonwealth War Graves CommissionCommonwealth War Graves CommissionThe Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
- Prof George Duthie, Regius (Chalmers) Professor of English Literature from 1955-67 at the University of Aberdeen
- William Esson, Savilian Professor of Geometry from 1897-1915 at the University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
- Very Rev John Annand FraserJohn Annand FraserThe Very Rev John Annand Fraser, MBE, TD was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1958 to 1959. He was born into a clerical family on 21 June 1894 and educated at Robert Gordon's College, Inverness Royal Academy and the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh...
MBE, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of ScotlandModerator of the General Assembly of the Church of ScotlandThe Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
from 1958-59 - James Gordon (Upper Canada politician)James Gordon (Upper Canada politician)James Gordon was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada and Canada West.He was born in Inverness, Scotland in 1786 and studied at the Inverness Royal Academy. He came to Amherstburg in Upper Canada. He served in the local militia, becoming lieutenant in 1809 and lieutenant colonel in 1822...
- Robert Patterson GrantRobert Patterson GrantRobert Patterson Grant was a Scottish-born merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He sat for Pictou division in the Senate of Canada from 1877 to 1892....
- Hamish Gray, Baron Gray of ContinHamish Gray, Baron Gray of ContinJames Hector Northey Gray, Baron Gray of Contin, PC, DL, , known as Hamish Gray, was a Scottish politician and life peer....
, Conservative MP from 1970-83 for Ross and CromartyRoss and Cromarty (UK Parliament constituency)Ross and Cromarty was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. The constituency elected one Member of Parliament using the first-past-the-post voting system....
, and Lord Lieutenant of InvernessLord Lieutenant of InvernessThe Lord-Lieutenant of Inverness, is the British monarch's personal representative in an area which has been defined since 1975 as consisting of the local government districts of Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey, and Lochaber, in Scotland, and this definition was renewed by the Lord-Lieutenants ...
from 1996-2002 - Eva Hanagan (nee Ross), novelist
- Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of LairgDerry Irvine, Baron Irvine of LairgAlexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, PC, QC , known as Derry Irvine, is a British lawyer and political figure who served as Lord Chancellor under his former pupil barrister Tony Blair....
, Lord High Chancellor of England and Wales from 1997-2003 - Maj-GenMajor-General (United Kingdom)Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
Robert McAfee CB, Director-General from 1993-5 of Army Training - Fred MacAulay (1925-2003), BBC broadcaster, and former Manager from 1980-83 of BBC Radio Highland
- John A. MackayJohn A. MackayJohn A. Mackay was a Presbyterian theologian, missionary, and educator. He was a strong advocate of the Ecumenical Movement and World Christianity.-Early life and education:...
, missionary, ecumenist and Third President of Princeton Theological SeminaryPrinceton Theological SeminaryPrinceton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States... - Prof James MacDonald, Professor of Botany from 1961-77 at the University of St Andrews
- James David Macdonald (ornithologist)James David Macdonald (ornithologist)James David Macdonald was a Scottish-Australian ornithologist and ornithological writer. A traditional museum ornithologist, he did much to build up the collections of African and Australian birds held by the British Museum, as well as popularising ornithology through his writings.-Education and...
- Elizabeth Mackintosh, author who wrote under the name Josephine TeyJosephine TeyJosephine Tey was a pseudonym used by Elizabeth Mackintosh a Scottish author best known for her mystery novels. She also wrote as Gordon Daviot, under which name she wrote plays with an historical theme....
- Alistair MacLeanAlistair MacLeanAlistair Stuart MacLean was a Scottish novelist who wrote popular thrillers or adventure stories, the best known of which are perhaps The Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra and Where Eagles Dare, all three having been made into successful films...
, famous novelist - Ranald MacLean
- Prof William MacLean MBE, Professor of Fine Art from 1995-2001 at the University of Dundee
- Murdo Allan MacLeod, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1984-5
- Fiona MacPherson, Editor from 1994-2000 of Harpers & QueenHarper's BazaarHarper’s Bazaar is an American fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper’s Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”...
- Iain MacPherson, economic historian
- Sir Roderick MacSween, Professor of Pathology from 1984-99 at the University of Glasgow Medical School
- Prof Angus Matheson, Professor of Celtic Languages and Literatures from 1956-62 at the University of Glasgow
- Sir James MathesonJames MathesonSir James Nicolas Sutherland Matheson, 1st Baronet , born in Shiness, Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland, was the son of Captain Donald Matheson, a Scottish trader in India...
- Very Rev James Matheson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1975-6
- Sir Duncan Michael, civil engineer, Chairman from 1995-2000 of Ove Arup Partnership
- Angus ReachAngus ReachAngus Bethune Reach was a 19th century British writer, noted for both his journalism and fiction. He was an acquaintance of such contemporary novelists as William Makepeace Thackeray and Edmund Yates, and counted the journalist and novelist Shirley Brooks as his greatest friend.-Journalistic...
, journalist - Prof Donald Reid, Professor of Epidemiology from 1959-77 at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineThe London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a constituent college of the federal University of London, specialising in public health and tropical medicine...
, and expert on the aetiologyEtiologyEtiology is the study of causation, or origination. The word is derived from the Greek , aitiologia, "giving a reason for" ....
of bronchitisBronchitisAcute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways... - Rev Prof James Robertson, Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism from 1938-45 at the University of Aberdeen
- Prof James Robson, Professor of Arabic from 1949-58 at the University of ManchesterUniversity of ManchesterThe University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
- Anthony Ross (rector)Anthony Ross (rector)Fr Ian Anthony Ross O.P., S.T.L., FSA -Early life:Born near Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland, Anthony Ross was brought up Free Presbyterian, attending school in Beauly and then Inverness Royal Academy. He won an award to Edinburgh University, where he edited his first book at the age of twenty-two...
- James Ross (Canadian businessman)James Ross (Canadian businessman)James L. Ross , was a Scottish-born Canadian civil engineer and businessman, who developed his fortune in railway construction.-Early life:...
- Sir Ian Scott CMG, Ambassador to Norway from 1965-8, to Sudan from 1961-5, and to the Congo from 1960-1
- Prof Alex Crampton Smith, Nuffield Professor of Anaesthetics from 1965-79 at the University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, who developed the NHS's first intensive care unitIntensive Care Unitthumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...
s in the 1960s - Donald Waters, Chief Executive from 1987-97 of Grampian TelevisionGrampian TelevisionGrampian Television is the ITV franchisee for the North and North East of Scotland. Its coverage area includes the Scottish Highlands , Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and parts of north Fife...
- James Wright CBE, Vice-Chancellor from 1992-2000 of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne
- Prof William Wright, Professor of Engineering from 1957-85 at Trinity College, DublinTrinity College, DublinTrinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
- Douglas Young (lawyer)